Written by: Ainsley Louis I. Mallari of G9-Mindfulness
Photos from NTC SmartClass FB Page
February 24 to 28, 2025, NTC SmartClass homeschooling community held an online MathSci FunWeek to ensure everyone enrolled in NTC SmartClass, even abroad or far, but within the Philippines, can participate. The MathSci FunWeek is the NTC SmartClass version of a weeklong sportsfest. This year’s MathSci FunWeek is particularly special! For the first time, NTC SmartClass has expanded its reach to include Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, making this 2025 event a truly momentous occasion.
Building on inclusivity and creativity, this year’s MathSci FunWeek embraced four participating houses, after Hogwarts’ renowned magical houses—Gryffindor (managed by Ms. Jade Naniong, the Social Studies SME and House Captain Zaid Mustafa), Hufflepuff (managed by Ms. Marchelle Villamarin, the TLE-Lifelabs SME and House Captain Euanmark Nicholas Recto), Slytherin (managed by Ms. Adrianne Mendoza, the Grades 3-6 SME and House Captain Dave Cuyler Cruz), and Ravenclaw (managed by Ms. Loren Barlaan, the K-2 SME). These houses formed the core teams that competed in activities designed to seamlessly blend science and math with fun.
The online event opened with the “Wizarding Workshops.” interactive sessions conducted via Google Meet.
These workshops aimed to provide engaging learning experiences through diverse topics, including discussions on independence by Ms. Barcelon in the morning.
Followed by incredibly insightful sessions explaining the scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles behind Harry Potter’s magic with Sir Phro Cabrera (former SME Science) guiding the discussions.
The second day featured the “Enchanted Battle Boards” in the morning, where homeschoolers engaged in spirited competitions where participants demonstrated their strategic prowess in games like Chess, STEM Word Scrabble, and DaMath. Congratulations to our standout performers:
Jacob Santos (Slytherin) - Chess Champion
Brianna Elise Aguilar (Gryffindor) - STEM Word Scrabble
Lorenzo Miguel Perello (Ravenclaw) - DaMath Winner
Following that, an asynchronous time was allocated, allowing homeschoolers more time to prepare for Day 3 and the rest of the FunWeek activities. Their thoughtful pacing allowed learners to balance participation and preparation.
Following that, an asynchronous time was allocated, allowing homeschoolers more time to prepare for Day 3 and the rest of the FunWeek activities. Their thoughtful pacing allowed learners to balance participation and preparation.
The third day brought a creative shift. Homeschoolers kicked things off with “Valentine Confessions & Musical Play,” an event that broadened the concept of Valentine’s Day to celebrate all forms of love, not just romance. Attendees enjoyed a musical play featuring homeschoolers as actors and actresses, which generated positive reactions from the audience, providing an engaging break from the STEM challenges. Following a brief intermission, participants watched “Over the Moon,” a 2020 animated film. This movie, rich in themes of ancient Chinese culture, advanced technology such as a maglev train and moon rocket, and the exploration of the moon's surface, offered a mix of cultural storytelling and scientific elements. The film viewing concluded with attendees sharing their thoughts and reactions, further contributing to the interactive and communal atmosphere of the event.
On the fourth day, the “Triwizard Team Trials” engaged participants in competitive gameplay of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, a highly popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game in the Philippines. Teams strategized to destroy the opposing base first, mirroring the game’s objective and fostering collaboration, allowing the application of critical thinking and teamwork in a dynamic, familiar digital environment. Shout out to House Slytherin! They emerged victorious, claiming 1st place in the Mobile Legends Tournament. Following the gaming challenge, an engaging Quiz Bee was held where participants answered Math and Science-related questions across multiple grade levels, demonstrating their learning and problem-solving skills. Hats off to House Gryffindor! Their exceptional knowledge and prowess shone brightly, taking home 1st place, thanks to their impressive display of knowledge.
In Photo: Math/Sci Virtual Escape Room
The week concluded with an immersive Virtual Math/Sci Escape Room in the morning. Teams used problem-solving and experimentation to “escape” through a series of challenges involving algebra, science concepts, and creative tasks. Once again, Slytherin house led the pack, finishing in record time!
In the afternoon, the excitement peaked with our highly anticipated “Mr. & Ms. FunWeek” segment, a true showcase of our talented elementary and Junior High School homeschoolers! A huge round of applause for Lancelot Lim and Lian Kaleigh Monsalud, who not only claimed titles of Mr. & Ms. FunWeek for the Junior High School level but also swept the Most Photogenic awards! Lancelot Lim was further impressed by winning Best in Q&A, while Lian Kaleigh Monsalud dazzled with her Best in Casual Attire win.
The event closed with short videos showcasing students’ learning, followed by a festive awards ceremony. In the overall rankings:
🥇Gryffindor - Champion
🥈Slytherin - 1st Runner-Up
🥉Hufflepuff - 2nd Runner-Up
More than a celebration, MathSci FunWeek was a platform for collaboration, team spirit, and creativity. From coordinating yell routines to building escape room strategies, homeschoolers showed remarkable dedication and enthusiasm. The event strengthened not only academic skills but also the character and camaraderie of every participant.